News List

March 28, 2014
Here is the latest edition of Week In Review - a series of weekly messages from the Mayor and City Council to help Richardson residents and businesses keep up to date on events at City Hall.

Raytheon to Move to Office Complex in CityLine Development
Raytheon Company announced plans Wednesday to move to a new state-of-the-art office complex to be built at the CityLine development. It will move 1,700 employees from Garland to the three-building campus, which will provide room for expansion as the company grows. Raytheon will occupy 489,000 square feet near the intersection of President George Bush Turnpike and North Central Expressway. The move is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2015, depending on the construction schedule.

KDC has already begun the initial phase of the 2.3 million-square-foot CityLine mixed-use development with completion scheduled for 2015. At full build-out, CityLine will contain approximately six million square feet of office space, two hotels, 3,925 multi-family residential units, 300,000 square feet of grocery, restaurant, entertainment and retail space, and three parks.

Richardson Maintains Highest Credit Rating from Moody’s and S&P
For the fifth year in a row, both the Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s credit rating agencies have reaffirmed Richardson’s “Triple A” status. Richardson has held AAA status from Standard and Poor’s for seven years now, and this is the fifth year in a row the City has received a Aaa rating from Moody’s.

Moody’s rating places Richardson among the top 6.1 percent of rated cities in the nation and 2.8 percent of rated cities in Texas to hold Aaa status. It has given only six other cities in Texas the same designation. Standard and Poor’s AAA rating places Richardson among the top 5.8 percent of rated statewide communities.

Richardson is one of only six communities in Texas to hold "Triple A" ratings from both agencies.

Modified Stage 3 Water Restrictions in Effect April 1
The City of Richardson will implement a modified version of its Stage 3 water restriction measures beginning April 1. The modification restricts outdoor irrigation from occurring between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and continues to allow only twice-per-month lawn irrigation.

During the winter, lawn watering was allowed during any time of day due to low evaporation rates and increased issues with water freezing on area roads and sidewalks during overnight hours.

In past years the City has been able to alleviate restrictions during the spring and summer to allow once-per-week watering, but the NTMWD has given direction to all of its member cities to continue only every-other-week watering due to critical water shortages in its water supply.

The North Texas Municipal Water District, which supplies water to Richardson, has recommended that its member cities restrict watering to once every two weeks because of the ongoing drought and loss of Lake Texoma as a water source due to a zebra mussel infestation. A new pipeline bringing water from Lake Texoma should be operational by May or June. Watch a City Council work session presentation by NTMWD Executive Director Jim Parks on the region’s water supply at bit.ly/1j4Z2MI.

ArtsInRichardson.com to Launch on Tuesday
The City of Richardson will launch a new website Tuesday that will serve as a one-stop shop for information on local arts groups and events. ArtsInRichardson.com will feature calendar listings, links to local arts groups and the option to search for a particular type of event.

The website is updated by the City and the 29 groups that receive grants through the Richardson Arts Commission. It also contains information from the City’s partner organizations, such as Richardson ISD, Plano ISD and UT Dallas.

ArtsInRichardson.com was developed by Artsopolis, a California-based marketing company. Artsopolis has created similar websites for Fort Worth, San Antonio, Boston and many other cities across the country.

The website is one of the first projects originating out of the strategies identified in the Cultural Arts Master Plan, developed by the City and Lord Cultural Resources in 2013. Learn more about the Cultural Arts Master Plan at cor.net/CAMP.

Council Awards Bid for Updates to Nantucket Drive
Nantucket Drive will be under construction beginning in May to replace pavement between Old Campbell Road and Melrose Drive and replace a water main between Old Campbell Road and Worcester Way. The project will also include updates to failed sidewalks and driveways and the addition of barrier-free ramps. The City Council awarded a bid to The Fain Group at Monday’s meeting to complete the work.

The $437,000 project is funded through the 2010 Bond Program. Work is expected to be complete in September.

Council Approves Special Permit for City’s First Microbrewery
The City Council unanimously approved a Special Permit on Monday for a microbrewery, which would be the first business of its kind in Richardson. The proposed microbrewery would be on Interurban Street just south of Arapaho Road. The business owner has also applied for a brewer’s permit from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, and if granted the new business is expected to open later this year.

The proposed microbrewery is located within a zone targeted for redevelopment in the Main Street/Central Expressway Enhancement/Redevelopment Study, an area that has been home to several new businesses and expansions in recent months. Watch a public hearing and Council vote on the Special Permit at bit.ly/1l1EsNt.

No Council Work Session on Monday
The City Council will not meet on Monday, because it is a fifth Monday of the month. The next meeting will be a work session scheduled for 6 p.m. April 7.

April is “Month of Volunteerism” in Richardson
Richardson is full of amazing people who selflessly serve the community all year, but during April the City recognizes their efforts and highlights ways to give back during the Month of Volunteerism.

One of the biggest City-organized volunteer events, the Trash Bash, will be held at 9 a.m. April 26. This event brings neighbors together as they clean up trash and recyclable items in City streets and parks all around town. The Trash Bash will also include electronics recycling, document shredding, a clothing drive, environmental education fair and much more. For more information, visit cor.net/trashbash.

There are many other ways to volunteer with the City, including at the Animal Shelter, the Eisemann Center or at the Police or Fire Departments. Check out a full list of volunteer opportunities and learn more about the Month of Volunteerism at cor.net/RichardsonVolunteers.

Selection Announced for 2014 Richardson Reads One Book“Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore” by Robin Sloan is the Richardson Reads One Book pick for 2014. The title was unveiled at a reception Tuesday before a group of supporters of the Richardson Reads One Book (RROB) Program.

RROB Board President Nancy Kubasek reveals selection.

This year’s selection is the first book by Sloan, a writer based in California. RROB is in its 11th year and is part of a national movement to bring together all segments of communities through the reading and discussion of a single book. Books are selected for their broad appeal, timely subject matter and thought-provoking issues.

The Library has many copies of the book available for checkout, including audio and large print editions. Special programs and discussions on “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore” will be scheduled throughout the year and will be announced on the RROB website at onebook.cor.net.

The highlights of the 2014 program will be Robin Sloan’s free public lecture on Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Richardson High School and the classes that he will conduct for selected RHS students.

“They Call Me Mr. Fry” at Eisemann Center Beginning Thursday

Closing the 2013-2014 Theatre Comedy Series, “They Call Me Mr. Fry” starring Jack Freiberger will take the stage at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 4 and 5 and 2 p.m. April 5 and 6 at the Eisemann Center. The show features a substitute teacher in urban Los Angeles as he relives the culture shock, fears, hopes and dreams encountered through his work. Tickets cost $32 to $42 and are available at eisemanncenter.com or by calling 972-744-4650.

Chamberlain Performing Arts “Focal Pointe”
Chamberlain Performing Arts will present “Focal Pointe” at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Eisemann Center. The show will feature Ballet West’s Beckanne Sisk and Tom Mattingly. Tickets cost $10 to $100 and are available at eisemanncenter.com or by calling 972-744-4650. For more information, visit chamberlainperformingarts.org.

Richardson Community Band Presents “A Kaleidoscope of Music”
The Richardson Community Band will perform “A Kaleidoscope of Music” at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Eisemann Center. The show will include a special appearance by the Richardson ISD All District Elementary Choir. Tickets cost $5 to $7 and are available at eisemanncenter.com or by calling 972-744-4650. For more information, visit richardsoncommunityband.org.

Teen Game Geek-Out at Library
The Richardson Public Library will hold a free Teen Game Geek-Out from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Basement Program Room. Available games include Boggle, Cranium Zigity, Don’t Spill the Beans, Giant Spoons, Lord of the Rings Monopoly, Pictureka, Scattergories, Twister, Uno and more. Snacks will be included.

Library to Host Final Lunchtime Lecture on Founding Mothers
The Richardson Public Library will conclude a series of Lunchtime Lectures on Founding Mothers with “Ladies and the Presidents – Washington through Madison” from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Tuesday in the Basement Program Room. Richard Cudlipp of Collin College’s Seniors Active in Learning program will present the lecture.

Registration is not required, and attendees are encouraged to bring lunch. Call 972-744-4376 for more information.

AARP Tax Help Available
Tax-Aide, sponsored by AARP and the IRS, will provide free tax return preparation and e-filing assistance for low- to moderate-income taxpayers with an emphasis on seniors. The service is available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays at the Richardson Public Library and 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays at the Senior Center. The program will run through April 14.

People should bring Social Security cards and all pertinent tax forms, including Social Security statements. The service will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

Richardson Animal Shelter Pet of the Week
Meet Phillip! He's a silly, playful young boy who likes to nibble! Phillip is about a year old, up to date on all his vaccinations, neutered and declawed. He was adopted from the Shelter a couple of months ago and is now looking for a new family that loves to have fun. He's so full of energy and wouldn't mind a furry friend to share in all his adventures. Think Phillip is the right cat for your family? Then please come by and meet him.